Selectively illuminated indicator and method for making the same

Abstract

An keypad comprises at least first and second actuators formed of a substantially translucent elastomeric material. A barrier (103) disposed within the first actuator (200) permits light, emitted by a first light source (105), present inside the first actuator (200) to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator (200) without substantially illuminating the second actuator (505) and permitting light, emitted by a second light source (503), present outside the first (200) and second (505) actuators, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator (200) and at least a portion of the second actuator (505). A method for making a selectively illuminated keypad is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A keypad comprising: at least first and second actuators formed of a substantially translucent material; and   a barrier disposed within the first actuator permitting lights emitted by a first light source, present inside the first actuator to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator without substantially illuminating the second actuator and permitting light, emitted by a second light source, present outside the first and second actuators, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator and at least a portion of the second actuator.   
     
     
       2. A keypad according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second actuators further comprise; an electrically conductive pad, adapted to be positioned opposite switch contacts coupled to a printed circuit board, permitting a closed circuit condition between the switch contacts upon actuation of at least one of the first and second actuators and an open circuit condition between the switch contacts upon release of the at least one of the first and second actuators.   
     
     
       3. A keypad in accordance with claim 1 wherein the barrier is disposed in a hole formed in the first actuator. 
     
     
       4. A keypad in accordance with claim 3 wherein the barrier further comprises a substantially opaque substance selectively coating a surface of the hole. 
     
     
       5. A keypad in accordance with claim 1 wherein the barrier further comprises a substantially translucent light pipe having an exterior surface selectively coated with a substantially opaque substance. 
     
     
       6. A keypad in accordance with claim 1 wherein the barrier further comprises a substantially opaque liner. 
     
     
       7. A keypad assembly comprising: a housing;   a circuit board coupled to the housing;   a first light source coupled to the circuit board and operative to emit light;   a keypad formed of an elastomeric membrane and disposed between the housing and the circuit board, including: at least one actuator formed of a substantially translucent material and having first, second and third sides, the third side disposed between the first side and the second side; and   a barrier disposed within the actuator permitting the light, present inside the actuator, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the second side and prohibiting the light from illuminating at least a portion of the third side; and     a switch coupled to the circuit board and capable of being actuated responsive to movement of the actuator.   
     
     
       8. A keypad assembly in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a second light source coupled to the circuit board and operative to emit light to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the at least one actuator and at least a portion of at least one other actuator. 
     
     
       9. A keypad assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein the barrier is disposed in a hole formed in the first side and extending at least partially towards the second side. 
     
     
       10. A keypad assembly in accordance with claim 9 wherein the barrier further comprises a substantially opaque substance selectively coating a surface of the hole. 
     
     
       11. A keypad assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein the barrier further comprises a substantially translucent light pipe having an exterior surface selectively coated with a substantially opaque substance. 
     
     
       12. A keypad assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein the barrier further comprises a substantially opaque liner. 
     
     
       13. A method for making a selectively illuminated keypad comprising the steps of: forming at least a first second and a second actuator of a substantially translucent material; and   disposing a barrier within the first actuator permitting light, emitted by a first light source, present inside the first actuator to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator without substantially illuminating the second actuator, and permitting light, emitted by a second light source, present outside the first and second actuators, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator and at least a portion of the second actuator.   
     
     
       14. A method for making a selectively illuminated keypad in accordance with claim 13 wherein the step of disposing further comprises the steps of: forming a hole in the first actuator;   selectively coating an exterior surface of a substantially translucent light pipe with a substantially opaque substance to form the barrier; and   positioning the light pipe in the hole.   
     
     
       15. A method for making a selectively illuminated keypad in accordance with claim 13 wherein the step of disposing further comprises the step of: integrally molding the barrier within the first actuator.   
     
     
       16. A method for making a selectively illuminated keypad in accordance with claim 13 wherein the step of disposing further comprises the steps of: overmolding the barrier within the first actuator.   
     
     
       17. A method for making a selectively illuminated keypad in accordance with claim 13 wherein the step of disposing further comprises the steps of: forming a hole in the first actuator; and   placing a substantially opaque liner in the hole to form the barrier.   
     
     
       18. A method for making a selectively illuminated keypad in accordance with claim 13 wherein the step of disposing further comprises the steps of: forming a hole in the first actuator; and   selectively coating a surface of the hole with a substantially opaque substance to form the barrier.   
     
     
       19. A keypad assembly comprising: a housing;   a circuit board coupled to the housing;   a first light source and a second light source coupled to the circuit board, wherein each of the first and second light sources are operative to emit light;   a keypad formed of an elastomeric membrane and disposed between the housing and the circuit board, including: at least first and second actuators formed of a substantially translucent material; and   a barrier disposed within the first actuator permitting light, emitted by a first light source, present inside the first actuator to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator without substantially illuminating the second actuator and permitting light, emitted by a second light source, present outside the first and second actuators, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator and at least a portion of the second actuator; and     at least first and second switches coupled to the circuit board and capable of being actuated responsive to movement of the at least first and second actuators, respectively.   
     
     
       20. A keypad assembly in accordance with claim 19 wherein the barrier is disposed in a hole formed in the first actuator. 
     
     
       21. A keypad assembly in accordance with claim 20 wherein the barrier further comprises a substantially opaque substance selectively coating a surface of the hole formed in the first actuator. 
     
     
       22. A keypad assembly in accordance with claim 19 wherein the barrier further comprises a substantially translucent light pipe having an exterior surface selectively coated with a substantially opaque substance. 
     
     
       23. A keypad assembly in accordance with claim 19 wherein the barrier further comprises a substantially opaque liner. 
     
     
       24. A radiotelephone comprising: a transmitter; and   a keypad For providing data to the transmitter including: at least first and second actuators formed of a substantially translucent material; and   a barrier disposed within the first actuator permitting light, emitted by a first light source, present inside the first actuator to substantially illuminate at leant a portion of the first actuator without substantially illuminating the second actuator and permitting light, emitted by a second light source, present outside the first and second actuators, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator and at least a portion of the second actuator.